
Joie de Vivre
Expanding resilience, connection, & joy

These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them. ~ Rumi


M.A.,RMT, RP (Q)
Hi, I'm

Registered Massage Therapist
& Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Pronouns: She/Her/Elle
Massage Therapy: all ages
Individual Psychotherapy: ages 16+
In-person/virtual/telephone therapy
Approaches: Integrative
-
Attachment-based
-
Client-centered
-
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
-
Mindfulness
-
Parts Work
-
Psychodynamic Therapy
-
Strengths-based
As a massage therapist for more than 23 years, I have witnessed how thoughts, feelings, behaviours, stressful events, and trauma can impact physical health. My experience led me to pursue a Master's in Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Spirituality at Saint Paul University. Going back to school at midlife was humbling, but it is never too late to try something new. Change takes commitment and what Buddhists call a beginner's mindset.
I will continue to offer registered massage therapy to my existing client base and am now licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) to offer in-person, virtual and telephone psychotherapy sessions.
I welcome new psychotherapy clients experiencing anxiety, depression, or life transitions such as career changes, divorce, parenting stress, loneliness, caregiver burden, 2SLGBTQIA+ related issues, grief, or struggles with self-esteem. Together we can explore your core values, limiting beliefs, attachment style, and self-care routine so that you feel more empowered, joyful, and balanced in your day to day life.
Please note, current massage therapy clients must be referred to a trusted colleague if they are interested in psychotherapy, not see me for both.

Health is Freedom
I work from a client-centered, anti-oppressive, queer-positive, intersectional feminist framework and welcome clients of every race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital status, ability, and/or gender identity.
I live and work on Upper Canada and Haldimand Treaties land - the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia where their culture and presence have always blessed and nurtured the land. I am committed to never losing sight of how ongoing colonialism continues to impact us all today.


Susan Alexander,
Lifelong learner


2021-2023
M.A. in Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality,
Saint Paul University, Ottawa
2008-2009
Hatha Yoga Teacher Training,
Rama Lotus Yoga Studio, Ottawa
1998-1999
Diploma in Massage Therapy,
The D'Arcy Lane Institute, London
1993-1998
1996-1997
Baccalaureate in Arts, University of Guelph
Exchange Student, Université de Nice, France
Continuing Education:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, 2023 https://pranashanti.com/
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), 2022
https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/applied-suicide-intervention-skills-training-asist/
Anti-racism training for Healthcare Professionals, 2020
Infection Prevention & Control Fundamentals, 2020
https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/index.aspx
Prevention of Violence, Harassment & Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, U of O Health Services, 2019
Pediatric Massage for Oncology, CHEO, 2019
CPR Level C with AED Training, Red Cross, 2018
Yoga Teacher Training for Limited Mobility, World Spine Care Project, Pranashanti, 2018
https://www.worldspinecare.org/
Caring For Self, Self-Care for Therapists with Petrea Hansen-Adamidis, Art Therapist, 2016 https://petreatherapy.ca/
Hospital-Based Massage Therapy for Seriously Ill Patients
Hertzberg Palliative Care Institute, Icahn School of Medicine
at Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC, 2016
https://www.mountsinai.org/care/palliative-care/about/institute
Training in the Accessibility for Ontarians Act (AODA) & The Ontario Human Rights Code, Ottawa, 2016
https://aoda.ca/free-online-training/
Radiant Child Yoga Teacher Training, Happy Seed, 2012
Introduction to Meditation, Capital Yoga, 2008
Reiki Level I, Reiki Associates, 2004
Infant Massage Instruction, Trimesters, 2004
Perinatal Massage Therapy, Trimesters, 2003
Myofascial Release I, II & Unwinding, John Barnes 1999
